West Bengal’s BJP government kicks off first Durga Puja celebration with mega event at Eden Gardens

Artists perform during the Mahalaya Durga Puja celebrations organised by State government, at Eden Gardens on October 10, 2026 | Photo Credit: PTI

The West Bengal government organised a massive Durga Puja event at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Saturday (October 10, 2026), with about 40,000 people in attendance. The much-awaited event on the occasion of Mahalaya marked the beginning of the first Durga Puja celebration of the Bharatiya Janata Party after taking power in the State.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who was present at the event along with his Council of Ministers, said, “All Durga Pujas will follow the proper religious traditions this year,” taking a swipe at his predecessor Mamata Banerjee.

“This is the first time pujas have not been inaugurated before time. This is our tradition; everybody has to follow the religious scripture and traditions. Every religion has its own rules and regulations. No Chief Minister has enough power to change the dates of religious events on their own will,” Mr. Adhikari said.

Mr. Adhikari had said that his government would not allow a single Durga Puja in the State to inaugurate their festivities before Mahalaya.